Speaking with relatives about family history, I am often told to keep this piece of information between you, me and the gate post. Respecting sensibilities, I will share my family stories entwine with historical events from Copiah, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties, Mississippi, from gate post to gate post.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Inez was the youngest of fifteen children born to my great grandparents Monroe and Mary Markham. She was born in Caseyville, MS, in 1903.

The childhood picture of Inez was always displayed in the family's living room. The building in the background of the adult photograph is similar to the one in the background of the 1931 class photo of the Brookhaven Colored School.

Inez worked as a house cleaner. She didn't have children and never married. She died in 1938 of general peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the membrane which lines the inside of the abdomen and all of the internal organs.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Photographs Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

A Tribute To A Wonderful Cousin
Lovingly called
"Aunt Jimmie"

God saw that you were getting tired, so he softly said it was time for the day that your precious soul would begin it’s heavenly flight to that great promise land beyond the sky. We always knew that this day would come, the day we all would have to say goodbye, the day of your home going. Our hearts are heavy with grief because it hurts so deeply. We never ever imagine it would feel this way. We will truly miss all the great stories that you would tell us about our many relatives, friends, acquaintances and many family incidents that took place in Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan and California. You were always there for us when we needed family information and we will be eternally grateful. But, through all our remorse and sadness, we know we are not alone, for you will always be deeply entrenched within our hearts and mind, and we will forever hold tightly to those precious moments and memories. For when our day shall finally come, the day when we all shall meet again, we know you’ll be waiting for us with arms wide open, to welcome us to our wonderful new Heavenly home.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Copiah's best known ex-slave was Howard Divinity, or "Uncle Divinity," who, since the close of the war until a few years before his death in 1930, attended practically all of the National Reunions of Confederate veterans and of World War veterans. Richmond, New York, Washington, and many other cities of the nation knew him as a familiar figure when the veterans gathered there. He always wore the gray uniform of the Confederacy, the coat being literally covered with reunion medals.
Uncle Divinity was born early in the 1820's and served from 1861 until the close of the war as body slave and cook with Bob Scott, of Copiah County, in Company D, of the Twelfth Mississippi Regiment. While in the Confederate army, Divinity acquired the reputation of being the champion forager in the whole Confederate army and was called the chicken provider of the Confederacy. In 1926 Uncle Divinity made a speech before the Mississippi Legislature in behalf of the Confederate soldiers, their widows, and servants. It is said that when in Washington some years ago, Uncle Divinity learned the difference between a senator and a congressman in the following way:

He went to the senate office building and asked to see his senator. When he was admitted to see John Sharp Williams, the Mississippi senator asked which he would rather have - five dollars, a toddy, or straight whiskey; Divinity came away with five dollars. A short while later Uncle Divinity met up with Congressman Percy E. Quin, representative of the Copiah District. Mr. Quin gave him a silver dollar. Shortly afterwards, Divinity remarked to a group of veterans that he had learned the difference between a senator and a congressman. They asked him what the difference was, and of course he answered - "Four dollars."

Uncle Divinity and his wife Susan lived on the old Rembert place, near Bayou Pierre, until Susan's death some ten years ago. Divinity, who was blind his last years, survived his wife by only a few years.

Census records indicate he was born between 1832-1850, likely around 1845. He was married to Susan and the couple had at least three children: Marilla, Joe and Beulah.

Although the narrative mentions he wore the gray uniform of the Confederacy, I note he has on a regular man's suit, possibly gray with a hat which appears to be one worn by Confederate soldiers.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

This photograph was among the collection of my great grandmother Mary Byrd Markham of Lincoln County, MS. The woman in the photograph is unknown to cousins. She may be kin or a neighbor to my ggrandmother. I would love to know her identity.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

In Memory of Mary P
Wife of Andrew Winston
Born Dec 22 1828
Died Dec 27 1884Hunters Cemetery
Smyrna, Copiah County, MS. Apparently Mary's headstone was provided after her death. According to her will, she died in 1895.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Mary Peachy Demyers WinstonBorn about 1828 - Died about September 1895

Through this will Mary bequeathed 290 acres of land. Mary and her husband Andrew Winston were the slaves of Peachy Ridgway Taliaferro in Copiah County, MS. Peachy died in 1852. Per his inventory listing of slaves, Andrew was valued at $1000 and his wife Mary was valued at $900. The couple's daughters Malinda and Sidney were also included on the list, valued at $150 and $125 respectively. Per the family's oral history, Peachy Taliaferro was also Mary's father. Inventory Listing - Page 1 and Page 2 - Mary and husband Andrew had eight children. Five children survived at the writing of the will: Malinda, Sidney, Eliza, Edward Robert, and Andrew.

In the name of God Amen, I Mary Winston of feeble health but sound mind make this my last will & testament. I bequeath unto my son Edward Winston forty acres of land, where his house now stands, beginning at the Southwest corner on the Hazlehurst & Port Gibson Road & running Eastern hundred & twenty yards, thence North eight hundred forty yards, thence West two hundred & twenty yards thence South to place of beginning.

I bequeath unto my son Andrew Winston forty acres of land, the South forty of the land I bought of Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Holliday. If one or both of my above mentioned sons should die without any male heirs, then the above mentioned land is to go back to the Winston Estate & if one or both of them should have male heirs they are not to have possession until they are twenty one years old, but in case of death of one or both of my sons & the wives of either or both, should remain single they are to have & control the above mentioned property until they mary(sp) again.

I bequeath to my three grandchildren (children of Charles Winston deceased) the North forty acres of land of the land I bought from J. J. Holliday & wife…but my husband Andrew Winston is to manage & control it until they become of legal age. In case of his death, then it is to be managed & controlled by one of my sons who is to be selected by my executrix whom I will hereafter mention.

I bequeath unto my husband one hundred & seventy one acres of land my residence now is on a portion of said land, & all of my personal property, consisting of one horse & my household & kitchen effects & my other property I fail to mention.

I appoint Mr. M. M. West & T. E. Groom, executors without bond to enforce this my last wish. Given under my hand & seal this 7th day of Dec 1894.

Mary (her x mark) Winston
Witness T. E. Groom & M. M. West

The State Of Mississippi Copiah County
Chancery Court
Vacation AD 1895

In the matter of a certain instrument – purporting to be the last will and testament of Mary Winston deceased of Copiah County.

Be it remembered that before Chancery Clerk of said County and State on the 28th day of Sept AD 1895 personally appeared F. E. Groom and M. M. West and subscribing witness to a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Mary Winston deceased, late of Copiah County who having first been duly sworn, deposed and said that the said Mary Winston signed, published and declared said instrument as her last will and testament on the 7th day of December 1894, the day of the date of said instrument in the presence of the deponents and that the said instrument testatrix was then of sound disposing mind and memory and twenty one years of age and that these deponents subscribed and attested said instrument as witnesses to the signature and publication thereof at the special instant and in the presence of the said testator, and in the presence of each other, on the day and year of the date thereof sworn to and subscribed before clerk on the 28th day of Sept 1895.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Born about 1821 in VirginiaDied between 1900-1910 in MississippiHusband of Mary Peachy DemyersFather of Malinda, Sydney, Eliza, Charles, Bettie, Mary, Edward Robert, and Andrew, Jr.Slave of Peachy Ridgway Taliaferro in Copiah County, MS

Grandbundle's Corner

About Me

A member of the sandwich generation taking care of an adult daughter and mother, both with brain disorders. I love genealogy and consider myself a community researcher. Researching the communities of Caseyville, Hazlehurst and Union Church, Mississippi, and wherever else we rooted.

Winter Bare

Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.Its had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor---Bare.But all the timeI'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' cornersAnd sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.So boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the steps"Cause you finds it's kinder hard.Don't you fall now---For I'se still goin', honey,I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair